Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 7

Written Answers. - Maynooth (Kildare) School.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

237 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that (1) there is a serious overcrowding situation in Maynooth post-primary school, County Kildare with more than 100 extra pupils being catered for, (2) the introduction of the new six-year cycle will result in this school automatically having an additional increase of approximately 100 pupils, thereby having 200 more pupils than the school was built to cope with; if in view of the continued expansion of Maynooth town and surrounding areas, she will now outline when the second phase of extension to Maynooth post-primary school will be given the go ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Having regard to demographic trends and current and projected enrolments at primary and post-primary level in the Maynooth area, my Department do not accept that the provision of such an extension is warranted.

TheProgramme for Economic and Social Progress provides for the option of a six year cycle of post-primary education for all pupils commencing their post-primary cycle in 1991. Any additional accommodation will not fall to be considered until the school year 1994-95.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

238 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that (1) the students of Maynooth post-primary school and Maynooth national school, County Kildare which total 1,200 students approximately, have no playing fields, (2) suitable land for development of playing fields has been identified in close proximity to the two schools and is the only suitable land left in the area of the schools; if, in view of the fact that considerable playing areas have been provided for other post-primary schools in the area, she will outline whether she will provide adequate finance to enable the schools involved to purchase the land now available; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The provision of a site or site extension in the case of a primary school is a matter for the school authorities.

In the case of post-primary schools the position, as the Deputy will be aware, is that there are many applications for the provision of new schools and extensions to provide much needed classroom accommodation. The position is that at present all available capital resources are committed to addressing this need for teaching accommodation.